Rob Melville has been named McLaren Automotive’s new design director. He replaces Frank Stephenson, rumored to be returning to Mini. Stephenson designed the first new Mini in 2001 and also did the Ferrari F430 and new Fiat 500.

Melville has designed McLarens since 2009 as senior designer and was named chief designer in 2014. His work includes the Sports Series and second-generation Super Series, as well as the P1, the evolution of the 12C into the 650S and the 675LT. Most recently, he led the 720S’ design.

The Cadillac Converj was the concept inspiration to the Cadillac ELR.

In his new role, Melville is responsible for further developing the company’s design strategy. McLaren says 14 more new models or derivatives are coming.

Melville started his career at Jaguar Land Rover, where his sketches and clay models were chosen for the LRX concept, leading to the Evoque. He later joined General Motors’ UK Advanced Design Group as senior designer, where he helped design the Cadillac Converj.

Wes Raynal – Wes Raynal joined Crain Communications’ circulation department while still in college. When he graduated in 1986, he became a reporter for Autoweek sister publication Automotive News. He has worked as Autoweek’s associate editor, news editor, motorsports editor and executive editor before being named editor in 2009.
See more by this author»